Give it a purl

QUESTION: I’ve been working on knitting a gift for months, and while it isn’t particularly expensive and doesn’t look like anything exceptional, I feel like that it has taken a lot of time and love. Is there any way to let someone know a Christmas gift is homemade without sounding like you’re demanding extra thanks?

CALLIE’S ANSWER: You deserve some extra thanks! That’s such a nice and thoughtful gift, let them know it was “made with love!”

LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: I hope the recipient appreciates the effort it took to make such a thoughtful gift. We all have different tastes, but a handmade gift comes from a place of love and there is a lot of value in that. You can casually mention that you made it when you give it to your friend; you could even expand that you enjoyed thinking of her or him while you made it. Your gift is a token of your friendship, which is what gift-giving means. I hope your friend recognizes that.

HELEN’S ANSWER: It is wonderful to create something as a gift for a friend or relative and hopefully they love it as much as you enjoy making it. I think it is appropriate to tell the receiver of the gift that you made it especially for her or him.

GUEST’S ANSWER: Patti Leeman, community volunteer: If you lived next door to me I would run over and hug your neck. What a good friend you are to create such a gift.

You might consider saying on the gift card, “I hope you will enjoy this handknit (item) as much as I loved thinking about you while I made it for you”; or if your friend has a sense of humor, “What fun I had making this one-of- a-kind handknit for you. BTW, it cannot be returned or exchanged.”

If she doesn’t seem to get the message, you can always show up on her doorstep on her birthday with some needles, yarn and a pattern as a “do-it-yourself kit. It will not take her long to realize how much time and work you spent on that holiday surprise.

Callie Athey is 20-something, Lillie-Beth Brinkman is in her 40s, and social columnist Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.